What's in a name? A new Cities Podcast begins this week with a look at Calcutta, one of the most important cities in South Asia. In 2001, the name was officially changed to Kolkata to match Bengali pronunciation.

To start, we look at two items always present in Kolkata's history, regardless of what the city was called. For two millennia as a fishing village, Ilish and Kali were there.

Item 1: Ilish (Fish)

Item 2: Kali (Goddess)

 

https://youtu.be/y0ckgJhf1e8

The noble dream of human rights. It comes from the contentious Enlightenment, but was it always doomed to fail?

Mathias and I trace the history of human rights to the humanitarian disasters of our modern era. Join us on Hour of History.

Declaration of Rights of Man

https://youtu.be/CmxUmOl1v2M

We've reached our last city: Nizhny Novgorod - and one day before kickoff!! Join us to find out about the Newtown in Russia.

Hour of History Cities Podcast - World Cup Series - Episode 7: Nizhny Novgorod

World Cup 2018 will kick-off tomorrow!

Find out more about Russia's host cities, on Hour of History cities podcast. World Cup edition.

https://youtu.be/gmvP7guuR3c

Hope Bastian is at the University of San Geronimo in Havana, Cuba and her new book "Everyday Adjustments in Havana: Economic Reforms, Mobility, and Emerging Inequalities" published by Rowman and Littlefield is out now!

Tune in to learn about the reform process under Raul Castro, the Special Period, and why Havana is always changing despite the common American perception that it remains unchanged.

Be sure to visit www.hopebastian.com if you have any questions or want to contact this fantastic anthropologist.

Request yours today!

 

The best research team in Calabazar. Thank you so much Hope and Dachelys! 

https://youtu.be/wyDyewTRR-k

We are back to the Volga River to discuss two new cities - Saransk and Volgograd.

Hour of History Cities Podcast - World Cup Series - Episode 6: Saransk and Volgograd

World Cup 2018 will kick-off in Moscow in just a couple weeks.

Find out more about Russia's host cities, on Hour of History cities podcast. World Cup edition.

 

https://youtu.be/qC6jWl8-y5c

Jewish refugees, American humanitarians, and Cubans. Enter the crossroads of culture that was the Finca Paso Seco in Calabazar, outside of Havana Cuba.

I'm away in Cuba presenting and improving a paper that sounds something like this- Enjoy!

https://youtu.be/N7EDlCZ50q4

Diversity rules! Find out about Russia 2018's diverse host cities Samara and Kazan.

Hour of History Cities Podcast - World Cup Series - Episode 5: Samara and Kazan

World Cup 2018 will kick-off in Moscow in just over a month.

Find out more about Russia's host cities, on Hour of History cities podcast. World Cup edition.

The excellent Kazan Coat of Arms - featuring the "Zilant"

 

https://youtu.be/Gx7fgiURu3M

Just how different is life in the city compared to life in the country? Is this an issue that is going away or getting more important?

Mathias and Keith are in the studio to talk about the Urban-Rural Divide in the United States and abroad. Join us on Hour of History to find out more.

https://youtu.be/c2s5535ryJI

A former Olympic host and a beautiful city on a river (and aptly named).

Hour of History Cities Podcast - World Cup Series - Episode 4: Rostov-on-Don and Sochi

World Cup 2018 will kick-off in Moscow in just over a month.

Find out more about Russia's host cities, on Hour of History cities podcast. World Cup edition.

 

Your host in Red Square at the countdown to Sochi Olympics

Rostov-on-Don and the less than inspiring Sochi

https://youtu.be/MMrG_XJUPHU

Cuba is important in history it shares with the United States. Special guests Josh Stern and Joe Humnicky visit the studio to talk Cuba, Latin America, and the future. Join us on Hour of History.

https://youtu.be/IcpcB5uKP0E